Singing trees were bizarre plant-like sanguivores (blood-feeders) found in Zakhara, the Land of Fate.[1]
Description[]
Singing trees looked like regular deciduous trees, but had unique leaves. Each leaf sang with a beautiful high-pitched voice, combining together to form an irresistible orchestra. If hungry enough, the body of the tree joined the song with a bass voice.[1]
Biology[]
A singing tree only produced one seed every five years. When this occurred, the parent tree sent the seed flying away on the breeze with a pair of leaves, ensuring it landed far enough away so that it did not encroach on the parent tree's territory. Saplings attempting to plant within another singing tree's territory were not taken lightly. The dominant tree would send leaves to block the sun from reaching the sapling or to attack the sapling's leaves directly. Singing trees could live for centuries if given an ample food supply.[1]
Combat[]
Singing trees used their bass voice to lure animals within hearing distance. The song compelled most animals to approach the tree for a rest, at which point the tree would drop several leaves on the animal to feed. Feeding leaves fell from the tree in a natural manner. Charmed animals did not even feel the small prick of the leaf's stem as it broke their skin and drew blood. After consuming a bit of blood, the leaf would float back to the tree and attach itself.[1]
If a singing tree was attacked directly, it would send a swarm of leaves at the attacker, draining blood and temporarily blinding them.[1]
Ecology[]
Some brave individuals attempted to transport or cultivate singing trees within civilized lands. This was possible with an adult tree so long as the roots were not disturbed and the tree was not subjected to drastic temperature changes.[1]
Fresh seeds could also be used to grow a new singing tree within a city, though these seeds sold for 5,000 gold pieces each.[1]
Diet[]
Singing trees were a carnivorous species of plant. When in a state of starvation their intense hunger made them feral, causing a tree to lash out at any warm-blooded creature that entered their territory.[1]
Habitats[]
Singing trees grew within forests of a temperate or warm climate. They were usually found far from humans in secluded areas, generally in the land of Zakhara,[1] though some were known to be found within the forests of the Savage Frontier[2] and at least one stood on the Malatran Plateau.[3]
Relationships[]
These trees had a symbiotic relationship with talking birds. They attracted other animals that the birds would feed upon and in turn the birds would feed off a tree's leaves as well as any pests infecting it.[1]
Some creatures were known to keep singing trees in a state of starvation so that they could act as fierce guardians.[1]
Singing trees were a favored plant of the deities Rillifane Rallathil, Baervan Wildwanderer, and Sheela Peryroyl.[4]
Notable Singing Trees[]
- An ancient and powerful singing tree inhabited the Public Gardens of Huzuz. It was known to spread its leaves across the entire area, filling the garden with beautiful music.[5]
- Tendor, a singing tree that stood in the Rayana Savanna on the Malatran Plateau around the 14th century DR.[3]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Monstrous Compendium included in Tim Beach, Tom Prusa and Steve Kurtz (1993). City of Delights. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-56076-589-5.
- ↑ slade (April 1996). The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (Tables 1 to 15). (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Leonard S. Dessert (1998). The Soulless Shu (PDF). Living Jungle (TSR, Inc.), p. 7.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 122, 138, 172. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Tim Beach, Tom Prusa and Steve Kurtz (1993). “Gem of Zakhara”. City of Delights (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 1-56076-589-5.